Two-phase cooling system for a laptop computer lid

ABSTRACT

A two-phase cooling system for a portable computer, the system consisting of an evaporator and a condenser that are both included in either the lid or the base of the computer. The two-phase cooling system is positioned proximate to the computer&#39;s heat-producing circuitry, such that the system draws liquid coolant past the circuitry and heat is transferred from the circuitry to the coolant. A fan may also be included, to assist in heat rejection from the cooling system. In a preferred embodiment, the cooling system consists of a flattened heat pipe, with a first side operating as the evaporator and a second side operating as the condenser.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/217,387 filed Mar. 24, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,340.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for cooling electronic components included in a portable computer, such as a laptop, notebook, subnotebook and the like and, in particular, to a two-phase cooling apparatus for such a computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable computers such as laptops, notebooks, subnotebooks and so forth (referred to herein generally as laptop computers) today utilize as system processors integrated circuit chips that can be cooled by natural convection or by included forced air cooling systems. Natural convection adequately cools "low-to-mid-power" microprocessor chips, while the included forced air cooling systems cool "mid-to-high-power" microprocessor chips. The forced air cooling systems use relatively small, and relatively quiet, fans that are readily incorporated into the laptop computers.

The next generations of microprocessors which manufacturers are contemplating using in laptop computers are higher power, higher density circuits. Moreover, these processors operate at higher speeds. They thus dissipate substantially more heat than the prior mid-power circuits. Accordingly, they can no longer be adequately cooled by the forced air cooling systems currently used to cool these computers. Forced air cooling systems that could potentially cool these high-power circuits are too large, too heavy, consume too much battery power and/or are too noisy for the laptop computers. These processors instead require their own, i.e., dedicated, cooling systems.

One type of dedicated cooling system uses a liquid coolant that changes phase as it absorbs heat. That is, the coolant changes from a liquid to a vapor as heat is transferred from the circuit to the coolant. It then changes from a vapor to a liquid as it transfers the heat to a cooler surface. Such systems are commonly referred to as two-phase systems.

The coolant in a two-phase system may be housed in a conventional heat pipe, which is a rigid tube with one end acting as an evaporator and the other end acting as a condenser. The end of the pipe which acts as the evaporator is placed in contact with the circuit and conducts heat, through its walls, from the circuit to the coolant. When sufficient heat has been transferred to the coolant, the coolant vaporizes and the vapor travels through the pipe to the condenser, where it dissipates heat and changes back to a liquid. A wick or other capillary device may be included to draw the liquid coolant back through the pipe to the evaporator.

Such conventional two-phase cooling systems generally work well. However, they take up a relatively large amount of space. If the device in which the cooling system is installed is a workstation, for example, the device has sufficient room to house a conventional two-phase cooling system that has a condenser which is large enough to cool a high power, high density processor. If, however, the device is a laptop computer, it may not have enough room for the components of such a two-phase system, and, in particular, it may not have room for the condenser. Further, as designers of the laptop computers endeavor to make newer models even more compact, and thus, easier to transport and handle, they reduce further the space allotted to the cooling system.

Laptop computers generally do not have the high quality screens that are now common on personal computers. These high quality screens require high power screen drivers, which must be adequately cooled to operate properly. Accordingly, what is needed is a cooling mechanism that fits within the confines of a laptop computer and can dissipate the heat produced by high power screen drivers, as well as the high power system processors, included therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a two-phase cooling system for a laptop computer which, along with the circuitry to be cooled resides in or is supported by either a base or a lid of the computer case.

The two-phase cooling system preferably includes an evaporator with flexible walls, as discussed in a co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/120,153 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,189 entitled Two-Phase Component Cooler. The evaporator, which may be constructed of metal or plastic, expands and contracts to maintain a constant ambient pressure within the system and thus, to provide required heat dissipation at all operating temperatures.

In one arrangement, all the components of the two-phase cooling system are incorporated into the base, i.e., the housing for the circuitry and a keyboard. This two-phase system consists of an elongated, flattened heat pipe with an evaporator formed along one of the sides of the flattened pipe and a condenser formed along an opposite side. Internal wicking along the evaporator side draws liquid coolant to the portion of the pipe that is proximate to the circuitry to be cooled. As the coolant absorbs heat and vaporizes, it flows to the condenser side.

In an alternative arrangement, all components of the two-phase system, as well as all high-power heat producing circuitry, are contained in the lid. The two-phase system preferably consists of a flattened pipe, as described above. As discussed in more detail below there are distinct advantages to including all of the high-power circuitry and the cooling system in the lid.

These compact, two-phase cooling systems make efficient use of the existing space in laptop computers. They are also capable of cooling high density, high power circuitry included in these computers. Further, in a computer that incorporates the condenser into the screen housing, the same system can be used to cool the screen.

These cooling systems are extremely reliable. They are not mechanical, and thus, they have no moving parts which may fail. Further, the systems do not consume battery power, which is often at a premium in laptop computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional laptop computer;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, cross-sectional side view of a laptop computer constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an alternative view of the laptop computer depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a laptop computer constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the laptop computer depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 depicts in more detail a portion of a condenser included in the laptop computer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of a third alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the laptop computer of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional top view of a hinge included in the laptop computer of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a laptop computer that contains the high-powered heat producing circuitry and a two-phase cooling system in the base;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a laptop computer which includes both a two-phase cooling system and a fan in the base;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a laptop computer that contains the high-powered heat producing circuitry and a two-phase cooling system in the lid; and

FIG. 13 depicts the laptop computer of FIG. 12 with an optional fan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional laptop computer 10, which consists of a screen 12 (depicted by dotted lines), a keyboard 14 and electronic circuitry 16 (depicted, also, by dotted lines). These components of the computer are housed in a case 18 that includes a lid 20, which holds the screen 12, and a base 22 that holds the keyboard 14, the computer's electronic circuitry 16 and a forced air cooling system (not shown) for the circuitry, as needed. The lid and base 20 and 22 of the case 18 are connected by hinges 24, which are rotated to raise and lower the lid 20 relative to the base 22, to open and close the case 18. Additional circuitry, such as screen drivers (not shown), may be included in the lid.

The lid 20 includes a top wall 26 and four side walls 28. One of the side walls 28 may include one or more vents 36, to allow air heated by the screen 12 and any included circuitry to escape.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded, cross-sectional side view of a laptop computer 11 which is a modified version of the laptop computer 10 of FIG. 1. The computer 11 includes all the elements of the computer 10, except any forced air cooling system that may be included in the base 22. This computer 11 includes instead a two-phase cooling system of the type discussed in the co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/120,153 entitled Two-Phase Component Cooler, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such a cooling system includes an evaporator 40 and a condenser 42 that are interconnected with flexible tubing 50.

The evaporator 40 resides in the base 22, in thermal contact with the circuitry 16 to be cooled. The evaporator 40 may be sized to a particular integrated circuit 44 or it may be sized to a circuit board 46 which supports one or more of such circuits. Preferably, the evaporator 40 has flexible walls such that it maintains, over a wide-range of operating temperatures, a constant pressure within the system.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the condenser 42 is supported by the exterior side of the top wall 26 of the lid 20. A bracket 48 with curved ends 48a attaches to the top wall 26 and holds the condenser 42 in place. The bracket 48 is open ended such that air flow is directed past the condenser 42, to aid in heat dissipation therefrom. The condenser 42 preferably includes heat fins 52 on both a front wall 42a and back wall 42b, to enhance heat dissipation.

The flexible tubing 50 runs from the evaporator 40, through a side wall 23 of the base 22 to the condenser 42. The tubing 50 carries vaporized coolant from the evaporator 40 to the condenser 42. As the condenser 42 dissipates heat from the coolant and returns the coolant to its liquid state, the tubing 50 provides a path for the flow of liquid coolant back to the evaporator 40. The tubing 50 must be long enough and/or flexible enough to accommodate the relative movement of the lid 20. Preferably, the tubing 50 is made of a plastic which can withstand repeated flexing, rotating and stretching without tearing or cracking. The tubing 50 may form a single path between the condenser 42 to the evaporator 40, with the liquid coolant flowing along the sides of the tubing and vapor flowing through the center. The tubing may also include wicking (not shown) to direct the flow of the liquid coolant.

FIG. 4 depicts an alternative embodiment 13 of the laptop computer 11 shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment 13, the condenser 42 is incorporated into the lid 20, rather than being supported externally by the lid. The condenser 42 is thus positioned proximate to a rear face 30 of the screen 12. As is also shown in FIG. 5, vents 36 and 37 in the upper and lower sides 28 of the lid 20 direct air flow past the condenser 42.

If the screen 12 and any related circuitry (not shown) produce a relatively large amount of heat during use, the condenser 42 may also be used to cool the screen 12 and the circuitry. The condenser 42 thus includes heat fins 52 on the rear wall 42b and includes internal wicking 54 along the front wall 42a. Alternatively, if only particular portions, or areas, of the screen require cooling, heat fins may be included on the front wall 42a opposite those portions of the screen not requiring cooling. Such a condenser is depicted in more detail in FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the lid 20. In such a system, the wicking 54 draws toward the screen a portion of the liquid coolant that would otherwise flow, under the force of gravity, through the tubing 50 to the evaporator 40. The coolant flowing through the wick 54 absorbs heat from the screen 12 and/or the related circuitry and again turns to vapor. It then flows toward the rear wall 42b of the condenser 42 for cooling. The portion of the liquid coolant that flows through the tubing 50 to the evaporator 40 similarly absorbs heat and returns, through the tubing 50, to the condenser as vapor.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment 15 of the computer 13 of FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, the rear wall 42b of the condenser 42 is formed as an integral part of the top wall 26 of the lid 20. The top wall 26 thus preferably includes the heat fins 52. The front wall 42a of the condenser may or may not include heat fins, as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 8 depicts the computer 15 from the rear, illustrating in more detail the top wall 26 with integral heat fins 52. This drawing also depicts an alternative arrangement of the tubing 50 (depicted by dotted lines), with the tubing running internally between the lid 20 and the base 22. The tubing 50 runs through the hinge pins 25, and thus flexes as the hinges 24 rotate.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a rotary hinge 23, with the tubing 50 extending through it. This hinge 23 may be used in place of one or both of the hinges 24. The hinge 23 includes two interlocking sections 23a and 23b, that rotate relative to one another to open and close the lid 20. O-rings 56 are included to seal together the two sections 23a and 23b of the hinge 23, to prevent leaking.

The laptop computers may be operated within a somewhat limited range of orientations. They may, for example, be placed on a tilted surface. However, since the screens are attached to the bases, the bases are not typically turned on their sides, as a workstation may be, to conserve space. Accordingly, the cooling systems for the laptop computers, and in particular, the cooling systems using gravity to draw the liquid coolant from the condenser to the evaporator must be designed to operate properly at those orientations in which the laptop is likely to be used. For example, the condenser must be designed such that the outlets for the tubing properly route the liquid coolant from the condenser under the force of gravity. The tubing must also be appropriately routed between the condenser and the evaporator, through the hinges holding the lid to the base if appropriate, to direct the liquid coolant to the evaporator.

FIG. 10 depicts in cross-sectional side view another embodiment 17 of the laptop computer, with both the condenser 42 and the evaporator 40 enclosed within the base 20. The evaporator 40 and the condenser 42 may be part of the same elongated, flattened pipe 58, as depicted in the drawing or may be separate, similarly-shaped components. The flattened pipe 58 resides proximate to the circuit board 46 that contains the circuitry 44 to be cooled. The evaporator 40, which is formed on one of the elongated sides 58a, includes the wicking 54 that draws the liquid coolant toward the circuitry 44. The coolant absorbs heat from the circuitry, turns to a vapor and flows to the condenser 42, which is formed on the opposite elongated side 58b. This side 58b dissipates heat from the coolant, preferably with the help of the heat fins 52. The coolant changes state back to a liquid and is then drawn by the wicking to the evaporator 40 on side 58a.

The two-phase cooling system may be positioned directly beneath the keyboard, such that air flow through the keyboard enhances heat transfer from the system. Further, the heat pipe may be placed in thermal contact with one or more walls of the base, to enhance heat transfer.

As depicted in FIG. 11, a small fan 60 may be added to the laptop computer of FIG. 10, to increase the cooling capacity of the system. The condenser in this system is not as efficient as the condenser in the system discussed above, which includes the condenser in or on the lid. Accordingly, this system may require a fan. Alternatively, a system that includes the fan may utilize a smaller condenser, depending on the required rate of heat dissipation.

FIG. 12 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the high power circuitry 16 is contained in the lid 20. Thus the circuitry for driving the screen 12 is on the same circuit board 46 as the computer's main processor.

The board 46 is oriented essentially vertically when the laptop is in use. Accordingly, the board is cooled somewhat by convection cooling, which is enhanced by a chimney effect that draws more air into the lid 20 through vents 37, past the board 46 and out vents 36.

A two-phase cooling system 62 is included in the lid 20, proximate to the heat producing circuitry on the board 46. In this drawing, the two-phase cooling system 62 is depicted as a flattened heat pipe 64. The heat pipe, like the board 46, is oriented vertically when the laptop is in use. Accordingly, the cooling system may be designed such that liquid coolant is drawn past the board 46 under the influence of gravity. As needed, internal wicking 66 may also be included. In this embodiment, the tubing between the evaporator and the condenser ends or sides of the heat pipe is eliminated entirely, as shown in the drawing, or is of minimal length if the evaporator and the condenser are separate components that are supported by the lid.

The cooling system 62 cools all the heat producing circuitry, including the drivers for the screen 12. Further, the cooling system 62 may be positioned between the screen 12 and the board 46, and cool both of these components. Thus, the screen drivers and the screen can be upgraded to those previously used only in larger computer systems, which also include dedicated cooling systems.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the laptop may also include a fan 68 in the lid 20. As discussed earlier with respect to FIG. 11, the fan and the two-phased cooling system are located, relative to one another, such that the fan assists in the heat rejection of the cooling system. Fins 70 may also be included in the cooling system, to further assist in heat rejection. If both the fins 70 and the fan 68 are included, the fins 70 are oriented to enhance airflow from the fan 68 past at least one end or side of the heat pipe 64.

As depicted in the drawing, the heat pipe is in thermal contact with one of the sides of the lid 20. The heat pipe can thus transfer heat to the lid, which has a relatively large surface area for heat transfer to the ambient atmosphere. The heat pipe can also be constructed so that one side of the condenser forms all or a part of the back wall of the lid, as depicted in FIG. 7.

The cooling system 62 may also function as EMI/RF shielding. Specifically, the heat pipe may be constructed of, for example, aluminum, and be attached to the computer's ground. The pipe then acts as a shield to prevent signals from radiating from the board to the outside of the computer, and thus, from interfering with nearby equipment. This is in contrast to a laptop computer that positions the board 46 in the base, directly beneath the keyboard. Since the keyboard has openings between the keys, signals radiating from the board 46 may escape through the openings.

The foregoing description has been limited to specific embodiments of this invention. It will be apparent, however, that variations and modifications may be made to the invention, with the attainment of some or all of its advantages. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A laptop computer including:A. a case for housing a screen, a keyboard and heat producing circuitry, the case consisting of a first section for supporting the screen and a second section for supporting the keyboard, the first section being hingedly attached to the second section; and B. a two-phase cooling system for cooling the heat-producing circuitry, the cooling system comprising an evaporator region and a condenser region, both of which reside in the same one of the two sections of the case, the cooling system further comprising an expandable surface which expands in response to increases in volume of a coolant in the system so as to keep an internal pressure of the system substantially constant over an operating temperature range of the system.
 2. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the heat-producing circuitry and the two-phase cooling system are supported by the first section of the case.
 3. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the heat-producing circuitry and the two-phase cooling system are supported by the second section of the case.
 4. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the two-phase cooling system consists of a flattened heat pipe.
 5. A laptop computer including:A. a case with a lid for housing a screen and heat-producing electronic circuitry: B. a base for housing a keyboard, the base being hingedly attached to the lid; and C. a two-phase cooling system for cooling the heat-producing circuitry, the cooling system comprising an evaporator section and a condenser section, both of which reside in the lid, the cooling system further comprising an expandable surface which expands in response to increases in volume of a coolant in the system so as to keep an internal pressure of the system substantially constant over an operating temperature range of the system.
 6. The laptop computer of claim 5 wherein the lid includes a circulation means for circulating air in air flow paths to assist heat rejection from the two-phase cooling system.
 7. The laptop computer of claim 5 wherein the two-phase cooling system includes internal wicking, for drawing liquid coolant along a first side of the system, the first side being proximate to one or more devices that are included in the heat-producing circuitry.
 8. The laptop computer of claim 5 wherein the two-phase cooling system has a first side and a second side, with one of the first side and the second sides being in close proximity to the heat-producing circuitry, the cooling system further including fins on either or both of the first side and the second side.
 9. The laptop computer of claim 5 wherein the two-phase cooling system has a first end and a second end, with one of the first end and the second end being in close proximity to the heat-producing circuitry, the cooling system further including fins on either or both of the first end and the second end.
 10. The laptop computer of claim 6 wherein the two-phase cooling system has a first side and a second side and includes fins on one or both of the first side and the second side, the fins being aligned with the airflow paths.
 11. The laptop computer of claim 10 wherein the two-phase cooling system has a first end and a second end and includes fins on one or both of the first end and the second end, the fins being aligned with the airflow paths.
 12. The laptop computer of claim 9 wherein:i. the lid includes a plurality of sides, and a rearwardly facing back; and ii. the two-phase cooling system is in thermal contact with the back of the lid.
 13. The laptop computer of claim 12 wherein the two-phase cooling system in also in contact with one or more of the sides of the lid.
 14. The laptop computer of claim 9 wherein:i. the lid includes a plurality of sides, and a rearwardly facing back; and ii. the two-phase cooling system is in thermal contact with one or more of the sides of the lid.
 15. The laptop computer of claim 13, wherein the two-phase cooling system consists of a flattened heat pipe residing, with a first side of the heat pipe acting as an evaporator and a second side of the heat pipe acting as a condenser.
 16. The laptop computer of claim 5 wherein the two phase cooling system includes a condenser and an evaporator, and one wall of the condenser is integral with a wall of the lid. 